Article dispensing package



June 28, 1932. N. c BUTLER ARTICLE DISPENSING PACKAGE Filed Aug. 23, 1929 I N V EN TOR.

ATTORNEY Patented June 28, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application filed. August 23, 1929. Serial No. 387,857.

This invention relates to the progressive presentation of a series of articles arranged in layer formation.

The chief object of the invention is to progressively present one at a time in exposed relation one of a series of layer arranged articles by simultaneously moving each of the articles an amount equal to the distance necessary to expose each successive article.

Another object of the invention is to provide a construction which is adapted for association with a plurality of layers of articles and arranged such that each layer will be successively exhausted prior to the discharge from the remaining layer or layers.

One feature of the invention consists in the lateral engagement of an elongated article and the lateral presentation thereof or ejection from a relatively closed container.

The advantages of the aforesaid invention when applied to a cigarette package are the elimination of crushing of the cigarettes, a

more sanitary packaging therefor and easier access to the cigarette to be removed from the package, and at all times.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawing and the following description and claims:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a container, an exposed article and the means for ejecting said article and others contained therein. Fig. 2is alongitudinal sectional view through the container and-the flarticles. Fig. 3 is a perspective View of the container prior to opening and indicating another degree of opening. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a two part carton which includes the invention.

In the drawing indicates the front and back of a container, 11 the two sides and 12 the bottom and 13 the top, of a package or container such as a cigarette package, although the invention is not necessarily confined to the dispensing of cigarettes.

Mounted within the package is a partition 14..when a plurality of layers of articles such as the cigarettes 15 are provided. An ejecting strip is indicated .at- 16 and is secured at its upperend as at 17 and a free end 18 is exposed. The strip 17 simultaneously engages opposite sides of each article and thus laterally engages the same.

As shown in Fig. 2, if the top of the package or container is opened, the cigarette 15 of the outermost layer and the uppermost one therein will be ejected from the container as the strip 18 is pulled from the container an amount at least equal to the distance necessary to eject said article.

By this operation, each of the articles in the series or layer are moved an identical amount and each is moved in the same direction and the relative positionings between several successively positioned articles is not in any way changed although the relative position between the articles and the package is successively changed.

After the first layer of articles has been exhausted or ejected from the container, the

free end 18 is further pulled from the container and the uppermost article in the next adjacent series orlayers of articles is ejected. While Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate a container or package wherein the entire top is opened, Fig.3 illustrates at the dotted lines 20 a sec- '15 tionl of carton that may be removed and thus obtain the lateral ejection of the articles without entirely opening the topof the container.

In some types of construction it may not i be necessary to provide the partition 14 although preferably the reverse folds 21 of the ejecting strip are provided. In other words, preferably the ejecting strip is substantially U-shaped and the two parallel portions simultaneously engage all of the articles included 35 therebetween.

In Fig. 4 there is illustrated a modified form of carton with a multiplicity of layers each independent of each other. T he carton comprises a base 30 that is elongated and includesan intermediate connecting portion 31 between the portions 30. The opposite end of each base portion is extended to form the ends 32 and connected therewith as an extension is the side opposite the base or top 33. The two tops 33 are independent of each other and each includes a cut out portion 34. One top portion is apertured as at 35 to receive tongues 36 carried by the other side or top 33, the same being formed integral with the end 32 by cutting out the same as at 37. The adjacent portions, to wit, the base and the top 33 have overlapping flanges 38 suitably secured together. Mounted within each of the oppositely directed pocket thus formed 1s the tinfoil 39 that envelops the cigarette or articles 40. The ejecting strip 41 extends from end to end of the carton and thence parallel to each end and also parallel to each of the top portions and projects a slight (118- tance outwardly therefrom as at 42 for finger engagement, the same being permitted by the cutout portion 34 of the top. If desired the ejecting strip may be transversely perforated as at 50, see Figs. 1 and I, so that a surplus portion of the strip may be readilyremoved from the remainder following the ejection of one or more of the articles such as a cigarette.

In certain types of packages the cover may be of a character other than that shown in Fig. l and may be of the flap type, in which event an additional flap extension-may upon opening of the package be positioned outwardly instead of inwardly and thus serve as a retainer and guide for the ready severance by transverse tearing of the extended portion of the ejecting strip. a

The invention claimed is:

1. In combination, a container, a plurality of articles arranged therein in a plurality of layers, and a strip extending from layer to layer and transversely of the articles and simultaneously engaging opposite sides of each article in each layer for broad side ejection of the endmost article of the outermost layer and simultaneous movement of all articles in the ejecting layer for successive positioning of each article in the layer in the endmost position for subsequent ejection, said strip being continuous from layer to layer for successive layer ejection and being transversely perforated, the parallel perforations being in spaced relation and approximately double the width of the article for successive detachment of successive portions upon successive ejection of the articles.

2. In combination a container, a plurality of like articles arranged side by side therein in a plurality of layers, and a strip extending transversely of the articles and simultaneously engaging opposite sides of the articles in each layer for broadside ejection of the end most article and simultaneous movement of all articles in the ejecting layer, said strip being continuous from layer tolayer for successive layer ejection.

3. In combination a container, a plurality of like articles arranged side by side therein in a plurality of layers, and a strip extending transversely of the articles and simultaneously engaging opposite sides of the articles in each layer for broad side ejection of the end most article and simultaneous movement of all' articles in the ejecting layer, said strip being continuous and being doubled upon itself and extending from layer to layerfor successive 1a er ejection.

4. In com ination a container, a plurahty of like articles arranged side by side therein in a plurality of adjacent and parallel layers,

m si ature.

y gn NOBLE C. BUTLER. 

